Within the 24 hours ending on October 29, 2025, the global cryptocurrency market experienced liquidations totaling $522 million. 
  Ethereum 
 (ETH) was at the forefront, following a single $6.09 million position being closed on Hyperliquid, as detailed in 
 a Coinotag report 
. This surge in volatility coincided with Ethereum ETFs outperforming 
 Bitcoin 
 for the first time, drawing in $246 million in new investments compared to Bitcoin’s $202.48 million, according to 
 a Coinpedia report 
. These figures highlight a changing environment for institutional adoption of crypto, with Ethereum’s smart contract capabilities gaining momentum alongside Bitcoin’s reputation as a safe haven. 
  The uptick in ETF activity reflects a broader pattern of political and regulatory shifts influencing the industry. Crypto advocacy groups have assembled a $263 million fund for the 2026 U.S. midterm elections, nearly twice their 2024 expenditure and exceeding the lobbying budgets of the oil and gas sector, as reported by 
  a CryptoNews report 
. Major organizations such as Fairshake, supported by 
 Coinbase 
 and Ripple, are focusing on advancing pro-crypto policies and congressional campaigns. This increased activity comes alongside President Donald Trump’s contentious pardon of Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, which has been viewed as a positive driver for crypto prices. In the week after the pardon, Bitcoin, Ethereum, and 
 XRP 
 all posted gains, 
 according to Yahoo Finance 
. 
 At the same time, the 
  Trump 
 Organization’s crypto earnings soared 17 times to reach $864 million in 2025, mainly from the sale of 
 World Liberty Financial 
 and TRUMP meme tokens, as noted in 
 a Yahoo Finance report 
. The family’s global promotional tour, which included meetings with Chinese entrepreneur Guren "Bobby" Zhou, has attracted attention due to Zhou’s ongoing money laundering investigations in the UK. This alignment of financial interests with crypto policy has sparked ethical debates, especially as the Trump administration has relaxed enforcement actions against the sector. 
 Despite these shifts, regulatory ambiguity remains. Bipartisan lawmakers are working to pass the CLARITY Act before a February 2026 deadline, as reported by 
  a Yahoo Finance report 
. Although legislators have held private discussions with industry stakeholders, prediction markets currently estimate only a 20% likelihood of the bill being enacted by year’s end. This ongoing uncertainty stands in contrast to the Federal Reserve’s upcoming decisions on interest rates and inflation data, both of which could further impact crypto markets. 
 Amid these changes, the recent wave of liquidations underscores the dangers of leveraged trading. Ethereum’s leading role in liquidations—driven by its price falling to $4,010—illustrates the persistent challenges of volatility management, as Coinotag highlighted. Nevertheless, projects such as Blazpay are leveraging the current momentum. 
  As the industry continues to navigate evolving regulations, political dynamics, and market trends, the balance between institutional investment and speculative trading is expected to shape the course of 2026.